Match Report
by Robin Piper
Northwood endured a frustrating afternoon as they were unable to
overcome a battling Waltham Abbey outfit.
There were a
couple of changes to the side which won at Potters Bar in midweek.
Bradley Hewitt was fit to renew his central defensive partnership with
Adam Theo with Ryan Tackley moving to left-back to cover for the
injured Danny Murphy, whilst Dwain Williams came in for winger Abdul
Yoki who was missing through illness.
And it was
Williams who almost gave Woods the perfect start as his curling shot
from the edge of the box rebounded off the far post.
But Waltham Abbey
opened the scoring when they were gifted a goal on 13 minutes, Marc
Sontag’s cross being left by all and sundry before sneaking inside the
far post.
Woods looked for
an immediate riposte and they went close as Jerome Hall headed
narrowly wide, whilst Dwane Williams tried his luck from outside the
box.
However, the
visitors continued to threaten on the break, Louis Collins and James
Elmes missing the target when well placed.
Northwood were
struggling to find the rhythm of recent weeks in a lethargic opening
half. However, Michael Gordon was unlucky when his shot rattled the
crossbar after a neat move involving Tackley and Dwane Williams.
Woods needed a
goal before the half-time break and it duly arrived on 43 minutes as
Tackley’s far post cross was headed back by Hewitt to James Fisher
whose shot into the ground bounced beyond the reach of goalkeeper John
Hickman.
And Hewitt missed
a glorious chance to give his side the lead in the final minute of the
half as he headed over unchallenged after latching onto Tackley’s
corner.
Colin Payne made
an attacking change at the break, striker Adrian Abramian replacing
midfielder Dwane Williams.
And Abramian was
quickly into the action as he latched onto Hall’s cross but his shot
lacked the necessary power to test Hickman.
Woods were
beginning to play with more conviction as they enjoyed their best
spell of the afternoon, the woodwork coming to Waltham Abbey’s rescue
once more as Phil Turner’s shot cannoned of the crossbar.
And Turner was
almost set free by Hall’s ball over the top but he was held back by a
visiting defender with only Hickman to beat.
Turner made way
for the fresh legs of Lee Holland on 71 minutes as Northwood continued
to look for the decisive goal. And Hall had a wonderful opportunity
after a delightful through ball from Abramian, but the Woods striker
was crowded out by the Waltham Abbey defence before he could get his
shot in on goal.
But for all their
possession, Woods were lacking the guile to breakdown the stubborn
Waltham Abbey rearguard, a Michael Gordon shot on the turn and a Dwain
Williams 25-yard effort the closest Woods came to grabbing the all
important goal.
And so the
scoreline remained the same, with Northwood having to settle for a
share of the spoils to record their ninth league stalemate of the
season.
PHOTO GALLERY (Click thumbnail to enlarge)
Michael Gordon shows his pace to get away from the defender The ball creeps in at the far post as Waltham Abbey take the lead James Fisher plays the ball down the line Jerome Hall holds off the Waltham Abbey defender Heads up ... where's the ball!? James Fisher attempst to convert Bradley's knock-down...will it go in..?? Yes! James has scored Woods' equaliser. Michael Gordon displays control under pressure Jerome goes in for a late tackle... Dwane Williams looks determined to start an attack The defender beats Michael to the ball this time Jerome Hall on the attack Adam Theo is a study in concentration Michael Gordon goes on another run Dwain Williams sizes up his options Can Dwane Williams control this high ball? James Fisher sets up an attack down the right It's Michael Gordon showing his skill again Jerome Hall heads on despite some close attention
Michael Gordon shows his pace to get away from the defender
Photos: James Brown |
